Victoria Bruno '10 on Career, Community and Paying It Forward
Matthew Ricker (left) and Victoria Bruno (right) during a recording of Iona University’s "On the Rise" podcast.
As Business Development Manager and Real Estate Specialist at Kings Capital Construction Group, Inc. — a commercial general contractor, site development contractor, and developer serving the greater New York region — Victoria Bruno ‘10 has built a career defined by relationships, strategy, and impact. A licensed New York State Real Estate Salesperson, she works closely with executive leadership to drive business development, strengthen brand presence, and cultivate meaningful partnerships. A former communications student with a concentration in Advertising, Bruno leads with a relationship-driven approach that has become her professional hallmark.
Bruno’s influence extends well beyond the job site. She was named a 2024 Women in Business honoree by 914INC. and a 2023 Millennial of the Year by Westfair Communications. She serves on the Next Gen Leadership Committee of the Westchester County Association and co-chairs the Women's Leadership Initiative through the ULI Westchester/Fairfield chapter, where she is developing a mentorship program for emerging industry leaders. Through the KINGS Charitable Foundation, she remains committed to giving back to the communities she serves. And she continues to invest in the next generation of Gaels as an alumni mentor in the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program and a recent guest on the Iona alumni podcast.
How did Iona prepare you for where you are today?
What I really appreciated about my undergraduate experience was how relationship-driven the Iona campus environment was. At the time I didn’t realize how important that network would become, but years later I’m still running into fellow Gaels in business meetings, at industry events, and even on job sites. My coursework gave me both creative and strategic foundations in advertising. I even had the opportunity to intern with Viacom - MTV Networks in Times Square, which gave me an early exposure and an invaluable look at what a fast-paced professional environment really demands.
What advice do you have for current Iona students?
Victoria Bruno shared advice on navigating an evolving career path.
The advice I wish I had heard earlier is that careers are rarely linear. Your career evolves as you gain experience and discover new opportunities. Stay open to change, stay curious, and focus on developing skills that translate across industries — communication, relationship-building, and problem solving. Those things will serve you everywhere and anywhere.
What’s your fondest Iona memory?
The best thing about my time at Iona was getting involved on campus. I was a Gael Guide, which gave me the opportunity to help welcome new students and show them what the school was all about. One of the most meaningful things that came out of my time at Iona was meeting my sorority sisters through Delta Theta Beta. Those friendships ended up shaping my life in ways I never expected and they’ve been a huge part of my journey both personally and professionally and together we supported causes like the American Cancer Society, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Watch the full interview on YouTube or listen on Spotify to hear Victoria Bruno '10 share more insights on building a relationship-driven career.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.